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Religious Studies Courses

Note: Courses in religious studies carry no prerequisites unless specified under the course listing. The 101 and 102 courses do, however, provide useful background for other courses in the department and thus are recommended for students who may elect more than one course in the department.

101 Introduction to Western Religions (1)An introduction to major Western religions as represented by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Topics include the nature of religion and religious experience in the West; origins and development of each major religion; sacred literature, formative myths, symbols and fundamental tenets; forms of religious expression, spirituality and worship; and the relationship to the world as seen in ethical orientations and institutions. McWhirter, Mourad.

102 Introduction to Eastern Religions (1)An introduction to major Eastern religions as represented by Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto. Topics include the nature of religion and religious experience in the East; origins and development of each major religion; sacred literature, formative myths, symbols and fundamental tenets; forms of religious expression, spirituality and worship; and the relationship to the world as seen in ethical orientations and institutions. Valdina.

104 Introduction to Islam (1)An introduction to the beliefs and practices of Islam in its various manifestations, with additional emphasis on the history, politics and gender issues that have both influenced and been influenced by Islam. Analyzes the information, and misinformation, on Islam as presented in the news media and on the Internet. Valdina.

121 History, Literature and Religion of the Old Testament (1)A developmental study of the major events, individuals and central religious and ethical ideas of ancient Israel, based on the literature of the Hebrew Bible and relevant data from the archaeology and history of the ancient Near East. McWhirter.

122 History, Literature and Religion of the New Testament (1)The New Testament and other writings of the early Christian period studied as literary, historical and ethical-religious sources for an understanding of Jesus, Paul and the emerging Christian movement. McWhirter.

131 Introduction to Christian Thought (1)Classical themes and modern variations: emotion and reason, world and God, death and self-transcendence, guilt and forgiveness, meaninglessness and the sense of the holy. Mourad.

187, 188, 189 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

204 Islam and the Modern World (1) An examination of ideas and movements related to Islam's interaction with the West in the modern period, including Muslim intellectual responses to issues like colonialism, modernism, secularism, nationalism, democracy, science and women's rights. Also includes political developments in certain Islamic countries. Valdina.

205 Islamic Mysticism (1) An introduction to Islamic mysticism. Looks at the historical development of Sufism, its contributions to Islamic civilization and to the spread of Islam, its literature, key themes such as love and drunkenness, distinctive practices including music and dance, and the ways it has adapted to the modern world, including in the West. Valdina.

206 Women, Gender, Islam (1)Examines the role of gender, and the construction of gender, in the history of Islam. Begins with the historical roots of the topic and examines presentations of gender in the Qur'an and the early sources of Islam. Explores case studies in the contemporary world, including the contexts in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Valdina.

215 Jewish Life and Thought (1)The world of Jewish life and thought as reflected in both ancient and modern Jewish writings. An analysis of selected biblical, rabbinic and medieval classics, as well as modern Jewish literature. McWhirter.

220 Legend, Wisdom, and Apocalypse (1) Historical and literary analysis of Jewish literature in the Second Temple Period, including the legends of Esther and Judith, the wisdom of Ben Sirach, the apocalyptic visions of Daniel and Enoch, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Looks at how this body of work constitutes important background for Jewish and Christian origins. McWhirter.

222 Jesus and the Gospels (1) An investigation of five Gospels: the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, along with the Gospel of Thomas. Historical and literary analysis, leading to an evaluation of their usefulness as sources for reconstructing the life and death of Jesus. McWhirter.

232 Faith and Reason (1)Explores epistemology, or the theory of knowledge, as it applies to religious belief. Focuses on the nature of faith and asks whether faith is irrational according to thinkers such as Blaise Pascal, John Locke, Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud. Mourad.

234 Philosophy of Religion (1)Philosophical examination of several classic religious problems, including the nature of God, the proofs of God's existence, the justification for evil and suffering, the rationality of belief in miracles and the nature of the afterlife. Offered occasionally. Same as Philosophy 234. Mourad.

242 Christian Ethics (1)An introduction to the foundations and applications of Christian theological ethics. Investigates Christian perspectives on moral issues such as sex and marriage, medical ethics and social justice. Mourad.

250 Mysticism and Ecstasy (1)A study of mystical and ecstatic experiences focused primarily on the Christian tradition. Includes discussion of the limits and puzzles of mystical language and the value of religious experiences as evidence. Are mystics reasonable if they base their beliefs on religious experiences? Do their experiences provide any support for other people's religious beliefs? Offered occasionally. Mourad.

251 Yogis and Ascetics (1)What does it mean to want to renounce the world? When do the conditions of society cause us to want to transcend everyday life in a radical way? Explores the historical development of concepts of yoga and renunciation in South Asia as they extend into Hindu, Jain and Buddhist practices. Themes include the relation between dissent and social responsibility, the difference between negation and affirmation, and the roles of wandering and control of the body in ascetic practices. Valdina.

261 Death and Dying (1)Human longing for a meaningful explanation of the mystery of death and dying is deep and universal. This comparative course examines a wide array of beliefs and rituals related to death and dying in a select number of world religions. In addition to gaining intellectual familiarity with cross-cultural beliefs and practices, students will be encouraged to analyze familiar religious and cultural practices surrounding death and dying. Valdina.

270 Liberation Theology (1)Examines Christian theological responses to poverty and social injustice emphasizing the theme of liberation. Includes analysis of liberation theology in 1960s Latin America and its influence on African American and feminist theologies in the U.S. Offered occasionally. Mourad.

287, 288, 289 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. May be taken more than once for credit. Staff.

320 Gender and Biblical Interpretation (1)Methods of biblical interpretation and their relation to gender construct in society and biblical authority. Offered in alternate years. McWhirter.

387, 388, 389 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

401, 402 Seminar (1/2, 1)Topics of special interest. Past seminars have included "C.G. Jung and Individuation," "Religion and Existentialism," "Theology of Sex and Marriage" and "Seminar on Ministry." Offered occasionally. Staff.

Introduction

Psychological science studies the behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. As a discipline, psychology spans the natural and social sciences and is based on rigorous scientific analysis and methodologies. Specialty areas represented in the department include clinical, cognitive, developmental, industrial/organizational, physiological, health, and social psychology.

Students who major in psychology become involved in research through laboratory courses, directed study projects and honors theses. These undergraduate research opportunities teach students to develop testable questions and hypotheses, operationally define variables, gather and analyze data, interpret results, and write research reports using APA format, all of which are skills that are valued in many work settings and necessary for graduate study. Finally, in both lecture and laboratory courses as well as in our research with students, the Department of Psychological Science emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, communication and research skills.

Career Opportunities

The Department of Psychological Science offers a variety of courses designed to prepare students for graduate work in psychology as well as for positions in research, human services settings and secondary education. The psychological science major at Albion College also provides excellent preparation for a variety of other professional areas, including law, medicine and business.

During their junior and senior years, students are able to participate in the department's internship program (Psychology Practicum) that allows them to work in a variety of field settings (e.g., mental hospitals, juvenile homes, counseling centers, schools and human resource departments), thus exploring various career options. The students are encouraged to conduct independent research projects that, in many cases, culminate in an honors thesis.

Special Features

Because the department has a strong commitment to research, upper-level students are strongly encouraged to make use of Olin Hall's laboratory facilities for investigating memory, psychophysiology, perception, language, learning, motivation, behavior and developmental/social processes in collaboration with faculty. Instruction in the Department of Psychological Science includes lecture and class discussion as well as laboratory experiences. Computers are used in many courses for data analysis, experiments and simulations.

Our major has been approved as a certifiable secondary school teaching major by the State Department of Education.

Albion maintains a chapter of Psi Chi, the national psychology honorary society.

Majors and Minors

Requirements for Major

A minimum of nine units in psychology, including: 101, 204, 206 and two courses from each of the three lists below. Students must complete a 200-level lecture class or attain junior status before starting the research design and analysis course sequence. One List I or one List II class must be a 300-level laboratory course. All List III courses require at least Psychology 204 as a prerequisite. Students must plan their course schedules carefully to ensure that all prerequisites are met and in proper sequence, particularly for the research courses: 336, 348, 351, 378.

Requirements for Minor

A minimum of five units in psychology, including Psychology 101 and 204.

At least one course from List I and one course from List II.

All courses for the minor must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis.

Requirements for Major with Secondary Education Certification

A minimum of nine units in psychology, as specified above.

Psychology 251 counts toward education certification requirements and will not be counted toward the psychology major.

All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis.

Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Minor with Secondary Education Certification

A minimum of five units in psychology, including Psychology 101 and 204.

One course from List I and one course from List II.

Psychology 251 counts toward education certification requirements and will not be counted toward the psychology minor.

All courses for the minor must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis.

Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Psychological Science Courses

101 Introduction to Psychology (1)Covers the principal areas of psychology. Participation in faculty-supervised experiments required of students age 18 and over. Psychology 101 is a prerequisite for all other psychology courses. Staff.

187, 188, 189 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

204 Research Design and Analysis I (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 101 with a grade of 2.0 or higher and a 200-level lecture-based course, or permission of instructor. An introduction to the theory and practice of research methods in psychology with an emphasis on descriptive designs. Focuses on naturalistic, archival, and survey methodology with discussion of descriptive statistics, probability, Chi-square, z-scores, correlation, and multiple regression. Lecture and laboratory. Course normally taken during second year. Christopher, Elischberger, Francis, Hill, Jechura, Wieth, Staff.

206 Research Design and Analysis II (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 204 with a grade of 2.0 or higher, or permission of instructor. Further exploration of the theory and practice of research methods in psychology with an emphasis on experimental designs. Focuses on both simple and complex designs with discussion of z-test, t-test, ANOVA (one-way, repeated measures and factorial), and MANOVA. Lecture and laboratory. Course normally taken during second year. Christopher, Elischberger, Hill, Jechura, Wieth, Staff.

210 Educational Psychology (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or Education 101.Educational psychologists develop and apply theories of teaching, learning, and human development to determine the most effective ways for educators to teach students. Ideas about human learning and development impact many teaching activities, including lesson planning, structuring exercises, and diagnosing learning difficulties. Students will discuss how educational psychologists have studied and contributed to educational approaches worldwide including instructional design, educational technology, curriculum development for different content areas, classroom organizational learning, special education and classroom management. This course advances students’ understanding of what constitutes typical learning and development, and the mechanisms that influence learning in educational settings across the globe. Francis.

236 Social Psychology (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101. The scientific study of the ways people think, feel and behave in social situations. Topics include self-perception and self-presentation, person perception, stereo-typing and prejudice, interpersonal attraction and close relationships, altruism, aggression, attitudes and persuasion, conformity, and group processes. Also examines theory and research in several applied areas of social psychology, including law and health. Hill, Staff.

241 Neuroscience I: Brain Structure and Function (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101, or Biology 195, or permission of instructor. An introduction to brain structure and function. Emphasis on the way the nervous system is organized to process information, construct representations of the world and generate adaptive behavior. Lecture, discussion, dissection. Same as NEUR 241. Jechura, Keyes, Schmitter, Wieth, Wilson.

243 Psychology of Perception (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Operation of sensory systems and major principles of perception. Addresses the classical question, "Why do things look as they do?'' Not offered every year. Wieth.

245 Psychology of Learning (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101.A survey of major concepts and issues in conditioning, learning and memory processes. Emphasizes research dealing with the ways learning and memory interact with other variables such as development and species-typical behavior. Lecture and laboratory. Not offered every year. Wilson.

251 Child and Adolescent Development (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Focuses on physical, cognitive, social and emotional development with emphasis on the periods of infancy, childhood and adolescence. Reviews methods for studying the developing person and major theoretical approaches. Elischberger, Francis, Keyes, Staff.

260 Psychology of Language (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Examines the relationship between the uniquely human cognitive capacity of language and other cognitive processes. Acquisition, comprehension, production, and utilization are studied with particular reference to structure and meaning. Not offered every year. Staff.

267 Psychology of Personality (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101. Examines the major theories of personality. Attention is given to the relevance of each personality theory to the students' own personality development. Staff.

287, 288, 289 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101. An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

304 Psychological Assessment (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 204. The principles of psychological assessment and the general process of clinical diagnosis. Deals with the construction, evaluation, administration and interpretation of widely-used measuring instruments. Offered in alternate years. Staff.

330 Health Psychology (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and 204, or permission of instructor.The role of behavior in the prevention of disease and in the enhancement of health. Looks at behavior in relation to stress, pain, cardiovascular disease, cancer, alcohol abuse, weight control, psychoneuroimmunology. Contrasts biomedical and biopsychosocial approaches to health and disease. Jechura.

336 Research in Social Psychology (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 206 with a grade of 2.0 or higher and 236, or permission of instructor. Focuses on either social cognitive processes or interpersonal relations. Guides the upper-division student through an intensive review of social psychological theory in either social cognition or interpersonal relations. Emphasizes how to assess and employ methodologies that affect explanations, interpretations, and applications of human social cognition and behavior. Laboratory work stresses the inextricable link between theory, methodology, and statistical analyses. Projects relating to one of these two areas closely parallel the process of professional research in social psychology. Christopher, Hill, Staff.

348 Research in Behavioral Neuroscience (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 206 with a grade of 2.0 or higher, 241, and 336 or 378, or permission of instructor. Examines the methodology of behavioral neuroscience research. Focuses on a review of the major means by which brain/behavior relations can be determined (i.e., lesion, stimulation, and recording studies) as well as an examination of much that has been learned using these procedures. Laboratory work covers at least two of these procedures in detail: human electrophysiology and a lesion, stimulation, or drug experiment in animals. Jechura, Wilson.

351 Research in Developmental Psychology (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 206 with a grade of 2.0 or higher, 251, and 336 or 378, or permission of instructor. Focuses on either social/emotional development or cognitive development in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Covers issues of ethics in research, rapport-building, and subject-recruitment. Emphasizes research techniques (design, data collection, analysis and write-up) used in the study of development. Laboratory work includes experience observing children. Elischberger, Staff.

353 Psychology of Adolescence (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 101 and 251, or permission of instructor. Examines the psychological, physical, historical and social forces from early adolescence to young adulthood. Major topics include physical, cognitive and social/emotional development, as well as identity formation, ethnicity, adolescent sexuality, health, delinquency and the impact of schools. Staff.

354 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 101, 204, and 251, or permission of instructor.Focuses on physical, cognitive, social and emotional development across the lifespan. Adopts an integrative and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the human experience from birth to death. Elischberger, Keyes, Staff.

380 Introduction to Counseling (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 101, 204, 267. A study of the major theories and current approaches to counseling and psychotherapy. Emphasizes important communication skills necessary in providing a helping relationship to another person. Opportunity is provided through videotape for students to learn and practice some of these basic skills. Staff.

387, 388, 389 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)Prerequisite: Psychology 101 or permission of instructor.An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. May be taken more than once for credit. Staff.

390 Neuropsychopharmacology (1)Prerequisite: Psychology 204 and 241, or permission of instructor. Examines the effects of drugs (recreational, therapeutic and experimental) on the physiology of the nervous system and on behavior in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which behavior is controlled by the brain. Introduces the methods and conclusions of modern neuroscience research as it relates to the pharmacology of behavior. Wilson.

395 Forensic Psychology (1) Prerequisites: Psychology 204, 251 and 265, or permission of instructor.Explores the psychology of criminal behavior, from causes through prevention or intervention and ending with punishment and rehabilitation. Provides an understanding of the criminal mind, based on knowledge of developmental and abnormal psychology. Staff.

396 History and Philosophy of Psychology (1)Prerequisites: Psychology 101, 204 and junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor. Examines the emergence of modern psychology from ancient Greek speculations about the mind and its relation to physical nature. Survey of the major psychological schools and their assumptions about the subject matter and methods of psychology. Jechura, Staff.

398, 399 Practicum (1/2, 1)Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and declared psychology major, human services concentration, or neuroscience concentration, junior or senior standing. Supervised experience in an applied setting and the opportunity to reflect upon and evaluate this experience in a weekly group meeting. May be repeated once. Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Keyes.

401, 402 Seminar (1/2, 1)Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. The study of a specific problem area in the discipline. Examples of topics include Psychology of Women and Men, History of Psychology, Psychology and Law, and Culture and Cognition. Staff.

416 Senior Research Seminar (1)Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Guides students completing a senior thesis through all aspects of the research process. Focuses on data analysis, interpretation and reporting on the results of student research projects. Considers both theoretical and practical research issues. Staff.

Faculty

Andrew D. Grossman,chair and professor.B.A., 1980, Monmouth University; M.A., 1990, Ph.D., 1996, New School for Social Research. Appointed 1996.

Dyron K. Dabney, associate professor.B.A., 1989, University of Virginia; Ph.D., 2008, University of Michigan. Appointed 2003.

William D. Rose, professor.B.A., 1981, J.D., 1987, University of Toledo; Ph.D., 1999, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Appointed 2001.

Introduction

The department offers students the opportunity to pursue either a major or a minor in political science. In relatively small, discussion-oriented classes, students engage with questions fundamental to the academic study of politics. For example, how does a critical engagement with politics and political thought help us to understand power in contemporary and historical terms? What sorts of power relationships do we see at work in modern institutions such as states, global capital, and the media? And, how do subordinate groups and individuals resist and transform systems of power?

In our department, we explore these questions and more, by exposing students to multiple perspectives on the most consequential, often controversial, issues of our times. Such issues may include questions of war and peace, democracy, the environment, the delicate balance between security and freedom, and the evolving conception of what it means to be a citizen. Whatever the issue before us, the goal of the department is to cultivate in its students an ability to critically examine political questions from a variety of perspectives, and enable them to better interpret their own experience of the world. As measures of our success in meeting these goals, we expect students to: demonstrate knowledge of the interconnections of political institutions, movements, concepts, and events from multiple intersecting vantage points; identify important contested assumptions, ideas, and intellectual debates in the relevant scholarly literature; and pose critical questions about power relations as they investigate key political questions in a globalizing world.

Many of our students seek to translate what they have learned in the classroom to ‘real world’ experiences beyond the campus gates, in the form of internships and service-learning activities. Upon graduation, some of our students choose to pursue graduate study in political science and related disciplines. A significant number of our graduates opt for law school. Our graduates have been uniquely successful in obtaining admission to some of the finest law schools in the United States. Finally, many of our students seek out immediate employment upon graduation, pursuing careers in teaching, public policy, business, and government-related activities.

Career Opportunities

An undergraduate major in political science is used by many students as a background for graduate study—and eventually employment—in such fields as law, public policy, public administration, business administration and international relations. Other fields which may be directly open to graduates are public opinion and market research, social work, municipal management, secondary school teaching, TV and radio, journalism, lobbying, criminal justice, campaign management and legislative staff work.

Department Policy for Advanced Placement Credit

Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) exam in American government will receive one unit of credit as Political Science 190. This unit does not count toward the political science major but does count toward the graduation requirement of 32 units.

Majors and Minors

Requirements for Major

A minimum of nine units is required to satisfy the major in political science. The major is comprised of three streams of inquiry: American politics and policy; international and comparative politics; and law, jurisprudence, and political thought. Political science majors are required to take and pass Political Science 100 (Introduction to Political Inquiry) as the gateway course to all upper-level (300- and 400-level) courses in the major. In addition, students are required to take and pass at least one entry-level course for each of the three streams (Political Science 101; either 102 or 103; and 105). Students are also required to take and pass at least one upper-level one-unit course (at the 300 level) in each stream of inquiry. Finally, all political science majors are required to take and pass one 400-level capstone seminar. It is expected that seven of the nine units in political science will be taken at Albion College. Other arrangements can be made for bona fide transfer students and students in approved off-campus programs. Exceptions are at the discretion of the department chair after consultation with other faculty members in the department.

No more than one unit of 391 or 392 (Internship) may be counted toward a major.

All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis. In order for a course to count for the political science major, the student must earn at least a 2.0 in the course.

Political science majors are strongly encouraged to achieve basic competency in statistics (Mathematics 209 is appropriate) and at least one foreign language.

Note: First-year students may enroll in 300-level courses only with permission of the instructor.

Requirements for Minor

Six units in political science, including Political Science 100, and at least one 100-level course from each of the three streams of inquiry, and two elective one-unit political science courses taken at the 300 level.

Requirements for Major with Secondary Education Certification

A minimum of nine units in political science, including: 100, 101, 102 or 103, 105, 216, 224, 256, and 336.

One elective one-unit political science course taken at the 200- or 300-level.

History 131.

No more than one unit of 391 or 392 (Internship) may be counted toward a major.

All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis. In order for a course to count for the political science major, the student must earn at least a 2.0 in the course.

Political science majors are strongly encouraged to achieve basic competency in statistics (Mathematics 209 is appropriate) and at least one foreign language.

Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

It is expected that seven of the nine units in political science will be taken at Albion College. Other arrangements can be made for bona fide transfer students and students in approved off-campus programs. Exceptions are at the discretion of the department chair after consultation with other faculty members in the department.

Requirements for Minor with Secondary Education Certification

A minimum of five units in political science, including: 101, 102 or 103, 224, 256, and 336.

History 131.

Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Social Studies Major with Elementary or Secondary Education Certification

Students interested in pursuing elementary or secondary education certification in social studies may choose to major in social studies. The detailed requirements for the major with elementary certification and secondary certification are provided in this catalog or are available from the Education Department.

Political Science Courses

American Politics and Policy

101 Politics of American Democracy (1)An overview of the dynamics and structure of the American political system: the Constitution, civil liberties, Congress, the Presidency, bureaucracy, interest groups, political parties, and voting behavior. Contrasts the principles of democratic action with a behind-the-scenes examination of how public policy is actually made. Dabney, Grossman, Rose.

214 Congress and the Presidency (1)An examination of the changing roles and responsibilities of Congress and the presidency with a focus on the changing political environment and the potential for leadership. Grossman.

216 Public Policy Analysis (1)Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. An examination as to how government decides to address problems. The stages of the policy-making process. Special attention is paid to the methods of program evaluation. Substantive policy areas are discussed, with an emphasis on social welfare, health, education, urban, and environmental protection policies. First-year students are not allowed to enroll in this course. Dabney, Grossman, Rose.

220 Interest Groups and Political Action (1)An examination of the increasing power of interest groups in the governmental process, including case studies of successful and unsuccessful efforts by business, labor, women's groups, ideological groups and various citizens' groups to influence public opinion and public policy. Offered in alternate years. Dabney.

225 American Citizenship in Theory and Practice (1)Focuses on the ways in which the concept of American citizenship has changed over time in response to various historical events such as the founding of the American republic, the abolition of slavery, the expansion of suffrage rights, the waves of immigration from Europe and Asia, and other circumstances. Grossman, Rose.

229 Film Images of World War II (1)The history of the Second World War and world films made about the war from 1939 to the present. (Film fee.) Offered in alternate years. Same as History 229. Cocks, Grossman.

312 American Political Development (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 101.Considers rotating topics: war, race, and organizational and institutional changes in historical context. Seminar themes include: the periodization of American history, national state formation, the political economy of industrialization and urbanization, and the social dynamics of continuity and change in the American political system. Grossman.

315 Presidential Campaigns and Elections (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100,101.The continuing evolution of both the presidential nominating process and the fall general election campaign. A look at the role played by political parties, candidate-centered organizations, money, issues, images and the mass media in the presidential selection process. Offered in those years when the presidential election campaign is at its peak! Dabney, Staff.

317 Political Parties in the United States (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 101.Examines the evolution of the party system in the U.S. and roles political parties play in contemporary American politics. Looks at party realignments, third party movements and advancements, party infighting and bipartisan cooperation. Addresses the question of party decline and the rise of alternative institutions of interest articulation. Dabney.

International Relations and Comparative Politics

102 Introduction to Comparative Politics (1)Examines the political institutions and processes of countries around the world. Emphasizes how to make meaningful comparisons between systems in different countries. Covers conditions for and functions of democracy, with an emphasis on how different kinds of democracies work. Provides a framework for comparison and considers the United States in comparative perspective. Topics include the vibrancy of democracy, the centrality of political and electoral institutions, the possibility of revolution, and the power of ethnicity. Dabney.

103 Introduction to International Politics (1)Examines and evaluates competing theoretical approaches (“paradigms”) which seek to explain inter-state war, international institutions and the global economy. Explores scholarly debates about the implications of international anarchy and national sovereignty. Focuses on the causes of violent conflict, the emergence of human rights norms and international courts, the dilemmas of humanitarian intervention, and the implications of global inequality. Part I examines competing theoretical perspectives in the discipline; Part II,approaches to studying war, violence and conflict; Part III, international institutions; Part IV, issues related to the global economy and international development. Grossman, Walling.

207 Transitional Justice (1)How does a government build a secure, democratic society built on the rule of law and principles of human rights in the aftermath of mass atrocity? How do people live together peacefully in the aftermath of mass atrocity? Explores the set of practices, mechanisms and concerns that arise when a new government attempts to come to terms with a legacy of past human rights violations following a period of conflict, civil strife or government repression, e.g., amnesties, reparations, truth commissions, and criminal prosecutions in order to ensure accountability, serve justice, discover truth and achieve societal reconciliation. Walling.

235 American Foreign Policy (1)Exploration of the history of American foreign policy, covering leading theories that explain its shifting style, goals, and outcomes. Grossman.

237 Controversies in Global Politics (1)How do we achieve justice beyond borders in an increasingly complex and interdependent world? By examining different traditions of political, ethical, and legal thought, students acquire the tools necessary to make reasoned judgments about urgent political problems in international politics. These problems include but are not limited to: global poverty, human rights, immigration, global climate change, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and sea-level rise. Walling.

256 Human Rights (1)Introduces the key concepts and theoretical tools for understanding human rights and human rights policy in the context of the modern world. Examines human rights in a global comparative context with emphases on all the major world regions. Draws on the central theories and concepts of comparative politics and international relations to explain how and why governments protect (or fail to) human rights and to examine the intersection among citizens, governments, and non-governmental organizations that work to investigate and protect against human rights abuses. Walling.

262 Pottery and Politics: Examining the Art and Politics of Tea Culture in Japan (1)Explores the aesthetic traditions and political history of the Japanese tea ceremony and pottery-making. Emphasizes the artistic and meditative execution of tea making with wares of art for tea making and tea consumption, in addition to the study of the practicality of tea as a vehicle for political negotiation, deliberation and social interaction in Japan. Same as Art 262. Dabney, Chytilo.

305 Government and Politics of Japan (1) Prerequisites:Political Science 100, 102.An examination of Japan's postwar political system: the decision-making institutions, political players and public policy processes. Also surveys political parties, political economy, political participation, culture and society in Japan. Dabney.

336 International Relations (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 103.A study of the behavior of nations, including topics such as: national power, balance of power, deterrence, diplomacy, collective security, international law, international organization and disarmament. Grossman, Walling.

338 International Political Economy (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 103.An introduction to the study of political economy, i.e., the reciprocal relationship between political and economic activities and institutions, through an examination of the pursuit of wealth and power in the international system. Considers the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical, analytical and ideological approaches to understanding the international political economy in both historical and contemporary settings. Specific issues include trade, international finance, foreign investment, economic development, structural adjustments and globalization. Grossman.

352 The Comparative Politics of Developing Nations (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 102.A survey of the principal arguments about global inequality and the developmental paths of countries outside the industrialized West. Includes an examination of the roles major powers and international and non-governmental organizations have played in the political and economic histories of developing countries. Dabney.

372 Gender, Sex and International Politics (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 103.Explores how gendered norms and assumptions shape international politics. Introduces feminist approaches to international politics in order to answer questions like “where are the women?” and “how do women experience international politics differently than men because of their biological sex?” Also evaluates the ‘gendered hierarchies’ of international relations—gendered expectations of individuals, state and other actors. Walling.

404 Causes of War (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 103.Explores the central issues regarding the use of military force in international politics. Why do states turn to military force and for what purposes? What are the causes of war? What renders the threat to use force credible? Can intervention into intra-state wars stall bloodshed and bring stability? How can states cope with new challenges posed by asymmetrical warfare and the threats of would-be terrorists? What are the rules and laws of war? How do states diminish the threat of war? Part I examines the causes of inter-state war and the strategies states employ to diminish the threat of war and handle its effects; Part II, the growing trend of intra-state conflict; Part III, the global governance of war, specifically the institutions, rules and norms associated with war-fighting and conflict prevention; Part IV, other forms of political violence including asymmetrical warfare, rebel insurgencies and terrorism. Grossman, Walling.

405 National Security Policy (1) Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 103.Explores the new security challenges facing the United States and other nations in the post-Cold War period. Introduces security studies, looking at the issue of nuclear weapons and its integration into strategic policy planning. Considers alternative ways to comprehend the concept of security and security studies in light of economic globalization, asymmetrical warfare, terrorism, democratization, the changing character of sovereignty, and the problem of weapons (conventional and non-conventional) proliferation. Grossman, Walling.

Law, Jurisprudence and Political Thought

105 Introduction to Political Thought (1)Offers an introduction to political theory. Explores major debates within the field, both in contemporary and canonical work. Proceeds both thematically, examining such themes as liberty, justice, democracy, political resistance, and power, and historically, situating theorists' writings within the historical context in which they were written and read. Also considers the relationship between political theory, political practice and the other subfields of political science. Rose.

205 Theories of Democracy and Difference (1)Draws on the work of contemporary political theorists to explore how democracies simultaneously uphold their commitment to equality and liberty while allowing for the inclusion of people with sometimes very different values and beliefs. To what extent should the state accommodate citizens' differences? What should states' responses be to cultural minorities whose customs may run counter to the majority's democratic values? What modes of communication best facilitate political participation by diverse community members? Is there room for accommodation of difference in the context of the legal system? Rose.

224 Constitutional Law and Politics (1)Explores the role of the U.S. Supreme Court in political struggles over the distribution and uses of power in the American constitutional system. Covers issues including the division of powers between state and national governments, and the branches of the federal government; economic powers of private actors and governmental regulators; the authority of governments to enforce or transform racial and gender hierarchies; and the powers of individuals to make basic choices, such as a woman's power to have an abortion. Emphasizes how the tasks of justifying the Supreme Court's own power, and constitutionalism more broadly understood, contribute to logically debatable, but politically powerful constitutional arguments. Also examines the politics of constitutional interpretation. Readings include Supreme Court decisions and background materials on their theoretical, historical and political context. Rose.

322 Crime, Politics and Punishment (1) Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 105.Whom a society punishes and how it punishes are key political questions as well as indicators of the character of the people in whose name it acts. This course examines connections between punishment and politics with particular reference to the contemporary American situation. Rose.

324 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 105. Examines the American Constitution and some of the rights protected by it. Topics to be covered include: the role of the judiciary in protecting individual rights in a democratic context, methods of constitutional interpretation, incorporation, the right to bear arms, economic liberty, abortion and privacy rights, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of the press, the death penalty, and equal protection before the law. Rose.

351 Modern Political Thought (1) Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 105.Critical examination of the work of modern writers on enduring themes of political life. Covers such thinkers as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel and Marx, through careful reading of the texts. Explores topics such as equality, democracy, women's rights and contending definitions of freedom. Rose.

357 International Law and Politics (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 105. Examines international law using a broad range of analytical tools to enable students to think critically about the origins and impact of international law. How do we explain where particular laws and norms come from? How do they affect the shape of global politics and the outcomes of particular events? How often do states obey international law, and why? Also examines substantive areas of international law such as the law of armed conflict, international humanitarian law, human rights, international criminal law and environmental law. Walling.

367 American Political Thought (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 105.Explores the history of American political ideas, and how those ideas continue to inform contemporary political thinking. Focuses on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with principal attention given to the Transcendental Movement and the emergence and development of pragmatism. Examines this dominant thread of American thought against the backdrop of liberalism and within the context of four related themes: individualism, equality, community and democracy. Rose.

368 Liberals and Conservatives (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 105.Examines the development of American political thought from the early twentieth century to the present. Special areas of emphasis include transformations in the American understanding of liberalism and the emergence of modern American conservatism in the post-World War II context. Explores the constitutive connections and interplay between political ideas and the concrete world of political action. Rose.

406 Privacy and the Surveillance Society (1)Prerequisites: Political Science 100, 105.Surveillance has become a topic of central importance for citizens and governments alike. As new technologies are developed and deployed, both by government and private entities, once conventional understandings of privacy and personhood have been permanently altered. How should relations between citizen and state, citizen and corporate entities, and among citizens themselves be understood? In what ways might human rights principles be threatened by global flows and exchanges of data? How are concepts like personhood, identity, trust and privacy being transformed and shaped through surveillance practices? How might such developments be challenged and struggled over? What implications does national security policy have for individually situated notions of human security? Topics considered will include: whether or not the state has become more authoritarian via its data collection practices and activities; what issues are raised by surveillance cultures embedding themselves into the everyday fabric of social life and social organization; and, whether there are constitutional tools available to citizens to challenge surveillance protocols and processes. Rose.

Political Research

100 Introduction to Political Inquiry (1) Examines the history of the discipline, and surveys principal approaches to describing and explaining political phenomena, including qualitative and quantitative analysis and moving from the behavioralism of the late 1940s, to critical theories, interpretive approaches, and rational choice models of later generations, and on to postmodern critiques challenging the idea that political science can be a science. Dabney, Grossman, Rose, Walling.

Special Studies

187, 188, 189 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

287, 288, 289 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

387, 388, 389 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

401, 402 Seminar (1/2, 1)Individual research within context of small group discussion and analysis of a common topic of politics. Staff.

411, 412 Directed Study (1/2, 1)Individual research on a senior thesis under tutorial direction of the faculty. (Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 to take a directed study in political science.) Staff.

Introduction

Physics involves the determination of the basic laws which allow one to predict natural behavior; indeed, physics originates from the Greek word for nature. These basic laws form the foundation for all the natural sciences. The department offers a program for physics majors, physics majors who seek an emphasis in astronomy, physics minors, pre-engineering students, students who require a physics cognate, and non-science students. The faculty have backgrounds in atomic, solid state, low-temperature, and quantum physics, electronics, and in astronomy and planetary science. Students have the opportunity to participate in faculty research projects in mesoscopic patterned magnetic thin films, quantum computing, low-temperature physics, photonics, origins of the solar system, extraterrestrial sample analysis, and low-energy ion-atom scattering. Facilities include a cryogenic photon counting lab, a thin film deposition chamber, a 5 kV ion-atom accelerator, a low-level nuclear gamma ray counting system, a 14-inch Celestron telescope with a CCD camera, and a historically significant Alvan Clark telescope.

Career Opportunities

Majors in physics are prepared to do graduate work in physics and related areas, which can lead to careers in teaching and research or research in industrial or government laboratories. Physics majors are also well equipped to pursue additional studies in engineering and typically are strong candidates for medical school, dental school, and law school. Employment opportunities are also available in industry, government and secondary school teaching.

Special Features

Opportunities are available for off-campus study during the school year, particularly participation in the Great Lakes Colleges Association's Oak Ridge Science Semester conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. The curriculum in physics can be adjusted to accommodate participation in other off-campus study programs as well. An active Society of Physics Students chapter sponsors seminars, field trips, tutoring and social events from a clubroom, and the Astronomy Club members have regular access to the campus telescopes. A prize established by Nobel Laureate E.T.S. Walton is given annually to the outstanding senior physics major, and the Physics Faculty and Alumni Scholarship has been given to an entering student.

Departmental Policy on Advanced Placement Credit

Students desiring course credit for AP Physics should contact the department or the Registrar’s Office for information.

Majors and Minors

The physics major and the physics major with astronomy emphasis are designed for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, or a related area; students who enter the workforce; or students who wish to have physics as a second major.

Students pursuing the mathematics/physics interdepartmental major may not count those courses toward the physics minor.

Requirements for Dual-Degree Program in Engineering

Students in the dual-degree program in engineering have a strong background in mathematics and science, very good academic performance, and a desire to pursue the engineering profession. To be eligible for program admission, students must declare the dual-degree engineering major in either mathematics or physics, write a personal essay, complete a personal interview with the program director, and have at least a 2.5 overall GPA, as well as at least a 2.5 GPA in completed courses in the science division. Although these program admission requirements should normally be completed by the end of a student’s first year at Albion, late admission requests are considered by the Engineering Advisory Committee as needed.

Requirements for Interdisciplinary Major in Integrated Science with Elementary Education Certification

Students interested in pursuing elementary education certification may wish to consider an interdisciplinary major in integrated science. The integrated science major is primarily intended for students seeking a broad, cross-disciplinary understanding of the natural sciences. Students completing a major in integrated science are required to take courses in all the natural sciences and also to choose a minor in biology, chemistry, geology or physics. The detailed requirements for the major are provided in this catalog or are available from the Education Department.

Physics Courses

101 Basic Concepts of Physics (1)Prerequisite: High school algebra.The basic ideas of physics in a historical and philosophical framework to give the student insight and appreciation of physics of this century and how physics relates to our contemporary society. Not intended for science majors. Lecture and laboratory. Offered in alternate years. Staff

102 The Physics of Urban and Environmental Problems (1)Prerequisite: High school algebra.The physics of modern urban and environmental problems with respect to their causes, effects and possible cures. Topics include transportation, energy generation and transmission, pollution and resources. Not intended for science majors. Offered in alternate years. Seely, Zellner.

105 Introductory Astronomy (1)Prerequisite: High school algebra.A study of the night sky, planets, stars, galaxies, cosmology, and our place in the universe, along with discussion of observational techniques and space missions. Not intended for science and mathematics majors or minors or students who have taken physics or calculus in high school. Lecture and laboratory, with additional multiple observing sessions required. Zellner.

115, 116 General Physics (1 each)Prerequisite for 115: High school algebra. First-year students need permission of instructor. Prerequisite for 116: Physics 115.Various forms of energy and their interactions: mechanics, sound, heat, light, electricity, magnetism and atomic and nuclear physics. Includes analytical, historical and philosophical aspects. Lecture and laboratory. Seely.

187, 188, 189 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

191 Physics and Astronomy Seminar (1/4) Discussion of selected topics in physics and astronomy as determined by student and staff interest. Led by departmental faculty, visiting speakers and students. Students are required to read selected scientific papers, attend presentations and actively participate in discussions. Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.

205 Planetary Astronomy (1)Prerequisite: High school algebra or permission of instructor.Covers our solar system's origin and evolution, including Newton's and Kepler's Laws, planetary motion, planet characteristics, and detection of extrasolar planets. Investigates planetary and other images and data returned by solar system spacecraft. Considers recent developments in biochemistry and whether or not life could exist on other worlds. Zellner.

206 Astrophysics I: Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology (1) Prerequisites: Mathematics 141 and/or a previous physics course, or permission of instructor.Provides an understanding of stars and how they work, and examines our galaxy. Covers topics related to cosmology, including our expanding universe. Intended for mathematics and science majors and minors and for students pursuing teacher certification in science. Zellner.

243 Introduction to Mathematical Methods in Physics I (1/2) Prerequisite: Physics 168, or permission of instructor. An introduction to the mathematical methods in physics using symbolic and numerical computational software. Topics include statistical interpretation of data and distribution functions, functions of a complex variable, coordinate transformations and curvilinear coordinates. Staff.

250 Introductory Modern Physics (1) Prerequisites: Mathematics 245 and Physics 243, or permission of instructor. Corequisites: Physics 244 and Mathematics 247, or permission of instructor (may also be taken as prerequisites).A survey of modern physics. Topics include special relativity, the quantum theory of light and quantum mechanics of matter with applications in atomic, nuclear and elementary particle physics. Staff.

287, 288, 289 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

291 Physics and Astronomy Seminar II (1/4) Prerequisite: Physics 191, junior or senior standing. Discussion of selected topics in physics and astronomy as determined by student and staff interest. Led by departmental faculty, visiting speakers and students. Students are required to read selected scientific papers, attend presentations, actively participate in discussions, and give a presentation on a scientific paper of their choice. Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.

308 Optics (1)Prerequisite: Physics 250, or permission of instructor.An introduction to geometrical and physical optics which includes paraxial theory, polarization, interference and diffraction phenomena, and optical instruments. Topics in contemporary optics, including lasers, holography and Fourier optics will also be discussed. Lecture and laboratory. Offered in alternate years. Seely.

322 Solid State and Nuclear Physics (1)Prerequisite: Physics 250.An introduction to the modern quantum mechanical description of solids and the atomic nucleus. Lecture. Offered in alternate years. Moreau.

350 Advanced Laboratory (1) Prerequisites: Physics 245 and 250, or permission of instructor. A junior-level laboratory designed to give students experience in independent research in experimental physics. Experiments include topics in optics, electricity and magnetism, atomic physics, and quantum physics. Strong emphasis is given to statistical analysis of data, error analysis, interpretation of measurements, techniques of measurement, and experimental design. Computer control of apparatus and computational analysis is also emphasized. Seely.

387 Quantum Mechanics (1)Prerequisite: Physics 250, or permission of instructor.Non-relativistic quantum interpretation of matter and energy, employing both the wave mechanics of Schroedinger and the matrix mechanics of Heisenberg. Miller.

388, 389 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.

Interdisciplinary Courses

Interdisciplinary courses are offered to bridge the gaps which sometimes exist between differing, but related, academic areas. Each semester a variety of interdisciplinary courses are included in the curriculum. Students in these courses are exposed to a broad range of ideas and concepts which have been integrated to make them intellectually exciting. These courses may be team-taught by two or more faculty members or be problem-oriented courses which, by their nature, do not fit into existing departmental offerings.

HCI 101 Introduction to Health Care (1/4) Prerequisites: Completion and submission of application materials for the Institute for Healthcare Professions. (Go to www.albion.edu/health-institute/.) Examines myriad healthcare careers and the education, rewards and challenges associated with each one. Emphasizes the team approach to health care, focusing on interactions among individuals with various specializations. Staff.

HCI 102 Issues in Health Care (1/4)Prerequisites: Membership in the Institute for Healthcare Professions.Explores a variety of professional and personal issues encountered by people working in the healthcare system. Considers current events and issues related to health care. Provides insight into the various professions that make up a collaborative healthcare team. Staff.

IDY 110 Career and Life Planning (1/4)Centers on effective decision-making with direct application to participants’ short- and long-range life goals. Emphasizes self-understanding and methods for gathering appropriate external information. Considers the benefits of liberal arts, including critical-thinking, writing and breadth of knowledge. Kase.

IDY 198 Holocaust Studies (1/2) Reviews the history of genocide, the history of the Jewish communities in Poland and the history of the Nazi extermination of Jews in Poland during the Second World War. Required for, and restricted to, students selected to participate in the spring Holocaust Studies Service-Learning Project in Poland. Offered in alternate years. Staff.

IDY 262 Arts Integrated Learning (1)Introduces K-8 teacher certification candidates to basic elements of arts composition (space, time, energy), performance and artistic analysis as they relate to music, visual art, dance and theatre as well as the work of prominent artists within these disciplines. Creative assignments and lesson plans explored within the class are implemented within diverse learning environments. Culminating projects include the creation and presentation of original works of art in the discipline of the candidate's choice. Staff.

PALN 209Dinosaurs(1)An interdisciplinary examination of the paleontology and biology of dinosaurs and their role in the history of science, popular culture and religion. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations, documentaries and popular films are included. Bartels.

SCI 205Women and Ethnic Minorities in Science(1)Prerequisite: One 100-level science course.An examination of both the history of women and other traditionally excluded persons in science, and the way science has looked at them. The course considers such questions as: Why are there so few members of these groups in science? What contributions have these scientists made? Would science be different if more members of these groups were scientists? Staff.

Introduction

Although they are not separated from the campus at large, students in the Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program do enroll in four unique Honors seminar courses in their first three years. Great Issues in Science, Humanities, Social Science and Fine Arts all explore topics of current interest through the use of classical and contemporary readings. Through their small size, discussion format and emphasis on critical thinking and writing, these special courses encourage students to value ideas and to play active roles in their own intellectual development. They also fulfill the special core curriculum for Honors students.

Admission—Students must be admitted to the Brown Honors Program. Visit the program's website for admission requirements and information on the application process.

Program Requirements

In the "Academic at Albion" section of this catalog, the College’s core curriculum is described. Part II of this curriculum requires that all students take a course that will introduce them to each of the following five Modes of Inquiry:

Textual Analysis

Artistic Creation and Analysis

Scientific Analysis

Modeling and Analysis

Historical and Cultural Analysis

Since each Honors course fulfills a Modes of Inquiry requirement of the College’s core curriculum, Honors students can satisfy as many as four of this five-course requirement with Honors classes. Additionally, Honors students can satisfy part of the College’s distribution requirement (one fine arts course, two humanities courses, two science courses and two social science courses) by taking Honors seminars.

Students take four Honors courses, one from each of the four divisions of the College.

All courses to meet the Honors core must be taken for a numerical grade.

To guide Honors students in their selection of Great Issues courses, the following numbering system is used:

HSP 12xH—Natural Science & Mathematics

HSP 1x1H—Textual Analysis

HSP 13xH—Humanities

HSP 1x2H—Artistic Creation and Analysis

HSP 15xH—Social Sciences

HSP 1x3H—Scientific Analysis

HSP 17xH—Fine Arts

HSP 1x4H—Modeling and Analysis

HSP 1x5H—Historical and Cultural Analysis

For example, HSP 154H would be a Great Issues in Social Science seminar that satisfies the Modeling and Analysis Mode.

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